Animal shelter overcrowded, creates 'wait list' to drop off pets

BATESVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) - The Humane Society in Independence County is running out of room due to an influx of abandoned animals.

Just last week, a dog was left chained to the Shelter's fence with nothing but a note.

"He had no food or water. He had no bedding, I mean nothing," said shelter manager, Michelle Hanson. "He was just left."

In the note, the owner said she could no longer take care of the dog.

But this is not uncommon; Hanson said so many animals are being abandoned that the shelter is now overcrowded.

To help alleviate this problem, workers have created a waiting list for people wanting to give up their pets.

"As dogs get adopted, we do call people off the waiting list even though we are overcrowded," Hanson explained. "If a dog gets adopted, we bring somebody in. If a cat gets adopted, we bring somebody in just to try to help out the community."